The thesis is concerned with the means by which labour is
managed in the young, turbulent and high risk industry of North Sea
oil extraction. To explain this, the study had to extend beyond the
more usual focus of research attention, the inmediate relationship
between employer and employee, to examine the wider commercial
relationship between the major oil companies and their contractors
from the perspective of both parties. The response of the trade
unions is assessed in this broader context.
In a relatively short period of time an industrial relations
system of considerable complexity has developed. The spreading of
financial risk by the operating companies (oil majors) is paralleled
in industrial relations by the delegation of responsibility to
contractors. As a result, a two tier workforce has developed. The
study analyses the processes at work, drawing on a range of
interview, observation and archival techniques.
Collective bargaining has been widely used to cope with the
labour problems posed by these extreme financial and environmental
circumstances. It is demonstrated that this has sometimes been
imposed upon the contractors and that it operates at both the
mUlti-employer, industry level, and at that of the individual
company. However, the thesis concludes that this collective
bargaining rests more on loose, informal agreements, and trade union
lobbying, rather than formal agreements and procedures.